Gloucester have turned to Scotland second-row Jim Hamilton as their next captain.

Hamilton joined Gloucester for the start of the 2010-11 season and has previously turned out for Edinburgh and Leicester Tigers. With 39-caps to his name for Scotland, Hamilton will bring huge experience to the role and he is relishing the chance to lead the side out at Kingsholm.

"To captain such a special club as Gloucester, with the loyal and passionate supporters we have, is a huge honour for me and I'll accept that responsibility with real pride and commitment to the players around me and everyone who supports our great club," Hamilton said. "I've said before that the best leaders and motivators stand up in changing rooms in the build up to matches and demand the highest standards of their team mates.

"The best leaders and motivators then get out on the pitch and produce those standards themselves, backing up what they asked of others by offering the very same. I've always tried to take that kind of role at Gloucester, and I know when I demand certain things of others I have to deliver them too.

"Nigel [Davies] has spoken to me at length about what we need to bring to our performances and how to get the full potential out of a genuine world-class backline and a talented and committed pack of forwards. I feel very honoured and humbled to captain a side with the level of class and quality we have here across the squad."

Hamilton replaces the now departed Luke Narraway as skipper and Nigel Davies is looking forward to seeing the second-row lead by example.

"I've been really impressed with Jim since I arrived this summer, his work ethic and commitment to Gloucester Rugby's success is without question," Davies said. "The kind of intense passion and energy he brings to the group adds to his qualities as a natural leader.

"He has a very positive impact on the players around him, he never plays at less than 100% and it's vital our captain displays and represents the qualities and values of our whole team. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and is very serious about rugby and getting things right. The fact he's a hard-nosed, committed player and intense on the field is exactly what we need to bring to our game this season.

"That toughness needs to be instilled across the group; add to that Jim's natural enthusiasm and strong personality, I think he'll be a key figure for us this season. He has been really motivated by this opportunity and is looking forward to the new responsibility and the commitment of leading our team."